Organisation Overview – SPACE Architects
As part of Space Group, SPACE Architects operates within a wider collective dedicated to driving positive change across the built environment. Established in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1957, the practice has grown from its regional roots to be recognised nationally and internationally for delivering projects that minimise environmental impact while enhancing community and cultural value. With innovation and sustainability embedded at its core, SPACE has consistently sought out new tools, research, and collaborations to ensure design decisions contribute to a lower-carbon future.
The Challenge
Climate change is a global challenge with increasing temperatures and catastrophic flooding. With buildings contributing 40% to carbon emissions, decarbonising the industry is critical to maintaining global warming below 1.5°c.
Operational and embodied carbon is considered at the outset of all projects, providing the best opportunity to incorporate passive design measures in the completed design.
Responding to the climate emergency and acknowledging buildings' impact on global warming, SPACE have also set themselves challenging targets to be a carbon-neutral business by 2023 and Net Zero carbon by 2030.
Solution
SPACE partnered with experts at Northumbria University to apply for funding from Innovate UK to run a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project looking at whole life carbon (WLC) reduction. The KTP allowed SPACE to engage a talented graduate (KTP Associate) to lead the project, with support from a specialist team of academics who worked with the Associate to transfer and apply knowledge directly into the business.
The KTP associate, Catherine Sinclair, is on a mission to bring WLC analysis to the forefront of the design decision-making process. Through the partnership she is developing a digital tool that can analyse the WLC of design decisions from the earliest stages, including location, form and structure. This enables WLC analysis to be treated as a core rather than specialist activity within architecture.
Catherine has been recognised as a Rising Star by RIBA, and was awarded the G4C Future Leader Award 2025.
Impact
Rob Charlton, CEO of Space Group has been impressed by the work Catherine has completed, saying "We couldn't be prouder of Catherine and all that she has already achieved in her career. Catherine exemplifies what it means to lead with vision, innovation and integrity, setting an inspiring example through her dedication to helping others and leading the research into Whole Life Carbon and reducing impact of the built environment."
Speaking on the benefits of undertaking her KTP Catherine said: “The partnership has allowed the opportunity for both SPACE Architects and Northumbria University to collaborate and progress early strategies for whole life carbon reduction across the design process. Embedding sustainability at the core of the design process and having developed the D-CARB tool to be used at the earliest stage of a project has already provided proven impact and outcomes in regard to whole life carbon reduction within our designs.”
After the completion of the KTP, Catherine will now take up a permanent position at SPACE as Head of Research.
If your organisation would be interested in partnering with Northumbria University on a KTP, email us directly us at ktp@northumbria.ac.uk
